The Asiatic lion news archive - 1998

Stories relating to the Asiatic lion and updates on the captive breeding programme from 1998. This page is updated on an occasional basis, to provide information about events within the Asiatic lion Breeding Programme and in-the-field conservation projects.

DATELINE : October 20th 1998
Three cubs born at Chester Zoo:

On the 20th of October Chester Zoo's lioness, Chandani, gave birth to a litter of three cubs. All of the cubs are doing fine but as yet have not been sexed. The cubs are likely to remain off show in their den until early next year. This is the fourth litter born at the zoo and takes the total number of animals in the programme to 45.

Update 21-Dec-98:
Following their innoculations, the cubs have been identified as two males and one female. A close-circuit monitor has been installed so that mother and cubs can be viewed in their dens.

Update 23-Feb-99:
The three cubs now have names courtesy of a competition held by the zoo in conjuction with a local TV station: The two males have been named Asoka and Nasseek and the female is called Masala. All three are growing well and are now enjoying exploring their outdoor enclosure.

You can see the new photographs of the trio in the lion gallery. The pictures are Chester 17 to Chester 20 (the last four Chester pictures).

Three of the four cubs from the previous litter have now been moved to temporary accommodation at London Zoo before going on to their new homes. The fourth juvenile will shortly be moving to her new home at Parken Zoo in Sweden where she will be paired with Sam, the hand-reared lion from Dudley.

DATELINE : August 15th 1998
It's twins at Bristol Zoo:

On the 15th of August Bristol Zoo's lioness, Moti, gave birth to two cubs: one male and one female. The cubs are doing fine and are being reared by their mother. They made their first appearance to the public in late October and can now be seen on most afternoons. A local TV station is running a competition, in association with the zoo, to name the cubs. The two cubs bring the total number of animals in the programme to 42.

Update 31-Mar-99:
The two cubs, now seven months old, are both doing fine. The male has been called Dacca and the female is Indi.

DATELINE : July 2nd 1998
Female cub born at Zurich Zoo:

On the 4th of July a female cub was born to the lions at Zurich Zoo. This single lion represents the third litter born at the zoo and takes the total number of animals in the programme to 40.

DATELINE : June 4th 1998
Two cubs born at Paignton Zoo:

On the 4th of June Paignton Zoo's Asiatic lions produced their first litter of cubs. The cubs, both female, take the total number of animals in the EEP to 39. Both cubs are doing fine and are being raised by their mother, Jamna.

DATELINE : April 25th 1998
Plan to set up a lion safari park near Taj:

The Uttar Pradesh state government proposes to establish a lion safari park on about 50 hectares of land in a forest area situated east of Taj Mahal, forest minister R.D. Verma said on Friday. The minister told reporters that a natural habitat would be provided to lions with enough number of water-sheds, caves and treelines.

In the initial stages, eight lions, which were surplus in Kanpur and Lucknow zoos would be released in this park. The Gujarat government had also offered to supply a number of Gir lions and also bear their transportation cost.

The project will be blended with the on-going project of Taj Nature Walk through which this world famous monument will be visible in its ever-changing scenario from the peaks of a number of mounds in this area. These mounds will be properly beautified and named after poets such as Mirza Ghalib, Surdas, Rahim Khankhana, Nazir Akbarabadi and Tulsidas. The entire 'walk' will be named after Satya Narain Kaviratna, who was born at Tora village close to Taj Mahal.

Source : The Times of India News Service.

DATELINE : February 28th 1998
Dudley Zoo's 'Sam' becomes the latest edition to the breeding programme:

On the 28th of February Dudley Zoo celebrated the birth of a male Asiatic lion cub. The cub, named Sam, is the 37th animal in the European captive breeding programme. More importantly, Sam is the first cub to be born to lions bred in captivity in the U.K.

Watch out for a full report on Sam's progress, including pictures, in the near future.

NEW June 1998:
See the pictures of Sam in the new Sam gallery.